Mobile Data Network

Breadcrumb

The Mobile Data Network equips emergency service personnel with state of the art interactive in-vehicle and tablet computers that provides access to a wide range of data.

Project name

Mobile Data Network

Value

$350 million (net present value, as at December 2014)

Status

Service delivery commenced

Department or agency

Delivery of this project was managed by the Bureau of Emergency Services Telecommunication's (BEST) within the Department of Justice and Regulation.

The contract is now managed by the Emergency Services Telecommunication's Authority (ESTA) as an agent for the Department of Justice and Regulation.

Private sector partner

Motorola Solutions Australia Pty Ltd

Description

The Mobile Data Network (MDN) is a major upgrade to Victoria's capacity to deal with large scale emergencies, as well as day-to-day activities.

The MDN is a new dedicated wireless communication network that will provide significant operational benefits to Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria. Frontline police and paramedics use MDN in their day-to-day work, with access via in-car touchscreen computer and tablet hand held computers or fixed within the vehicle.

The MDN equips the Victoria Police and Ambulance Victoria with state-of-the-art interactive in-vehicle computers. The in-vehicle computers allows police and ambulance officers to access a wide range of key information while on location or working in their vehicles. Tablet computers are also connected to MDN via use of the Telstra 3G network.

The project involves provision of new telecommunications infrastructure (data networks and towers) and new information technology equipment (customised computers).

The new functionality the system is delivering includes:

allowing important information about the emergency and the people involved to be sent directly to the vehicles involved

using Satellite technology to track vehicle location, allowing the closest vehicles to be sent to an emergency

giving mobile access to databases such as vehicle registrations and drivers licences (including transmission of images)

allowing police to submit paperwork via computer while still in the field

In addition other systems are also being integrated with MDN. Victoria Police are currently trialing In Car Video (ICV) and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology and Ambulance Victoria are using a new Navigation and Mapping System.

This telecommunication infrastructure is facilitating increased responsiveness of the emergency services organisation's to the community in the greater Melbourne and Geelong areas. With the contract extension in 2010 State wide coverage is available by use of the Telstra 3G network.

Along with the Emergency Alerting System (EAS) and the Metropolitan Mobile Radio (MMR), MDN forms a major investment and upgrade in emergency services telecommunication's technology infrastructure.

The contract with Motorola Solutions Pty Ltd is to design, build, finance and provide support services to the network.

The contract was executed on 25 June 2003 and there has been a 2.5 year design, construction and commissioning period. The term of the contract is for five years (from operational commencement) with the State having the option of a two further, two-year extensions. These optional extensions have been used to extend the contract term to December 2014.

As part of the State’s Emergency Management Operational Communications program, the MDN was upgraded and extended for an additional two years (until December 2016) with a further, two one year optional extensions. The contract has now been extended to March 2019.

The Department of Treasury and Finance acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders, past and present.